3FULGEAR's VALUES
3FULGEAR is dedicated to providing affordable ultralight hiking gear for all outdoor enthusiasts.
This mission has been at the heart of our brand since we started in 2008. The name “3F” comes from a mountain known as a beginner-friendly peak, one that introduces hundreds of climbers each week to the breathtaking world of the outdoors. That’s exactly why we created 3FULGEAR—to inspire and equip people to explore the world of ultralight hiking through our innovative products.
ORIGIN
Mr. Ye was formerly a tent pattern maker who spent many years working in a Korean tent factory. However, during the 2008 Asian financial crisis, many tent factories shut down, leading him to gather a group of displaced workers and establish 3FULGEAR.
While hiking, Mr. Ye met his hiking partner, Mr. Liang (trail name: Flat Canister). Both shared a passion for hiking, camping, and fishing, with Mr. Liang being particularly inspired by the philosophy of lightweight gear. Together, they began designing and crafting lightweight outdoor products.
Mr. Liang, a well-known hiker in the lightweight hiking community, met a new hiking partner, Yu, in 2015. Together, they tackled some of the most challenging trails. Inspired by their experiences, Yu left his job as a guide and outdoor educator to join the team, focusing on improving and designing innovative products. Over the years, they hiked thousands of kilometers, testing their gear on the trails.
Many of 3FULGEAR’s product names are inspired by the trails they’ve hiked—like Lanshan, named in Langta Trek (2017), meaning “Blue Mountains”; Yue, named in NyenchingTanggula (2019), referring to endless snowy peaks, and Tianshan, named when they trek North of the Southern Tian Shan Trek (2024).
Who designed and made your equipment?
Peihong Ye - Founder
Ye (1st one on the right) is designing new tent
Mr. Ye is a great tent pattern maker and engineer—and the technical backbone of everything we do at 3FULGEAR. From designing patterns and sewing, to modifying and repairing sewing machines, and even developing new production techniques, his range of skills is exceptional. A longtime ultralight gear enthusiast, Mr. Ye has earned the respect of the ultralight hiking community with his carefully handcrafted tents.
In 2010, he designed and released the Xingyun—a budget-friendly, single-person ultralight shelter weighing just under 800 grams. He’s always eager to connect with hikers, share his knowledge about lightweight tent design, and introduce fresh ideas that challenge conventional thinking.
Mr. Ye met Liang Xueyan at an outdoor event in 2013, and the two quickly became frequent hiking partners, eventually leading to the creation of the Lanshan series—tents that quickly gained a loyal following among outdoor enthusiasts around the world.
While Mr. Ye hikes less frequently now due to a health condition because long sitting at the sewing machine, he still finds inspiration through car camping and fishing.
Xiaofang Xu- Production Director
Ms. Xu Xiaofang has been crafting tents since 1997. As a technical manager at an international outdoor products corporation with over 20,000 employees, she has extensive expertise in a wide range of manufacturing processes and techniques. After marrying Mr. Ye, she not only found happiness in her personal life but also brought her invaluable skills to 3FULGEAR, where she oversees factory operations and refines technical details. Known for her uncompromising commitment to quality, it’s fair to say that without her dedication, 3FULGEAR products would not achieve their exceptional standard of craftsmanship.
Xueyan Liang (Flat Canister) - Vice President
Flat Canister is an experienced ultralight hiker with over 4,000 kilometers of trail experience. Through his extensive treks, he has honed his outdoor skills and generated innovative ideas for gear design—leading to the creation of iconic products like the Lanshan tent and the Qidian pack. During several challenging expeditions, he crafted his own gear, such as the Tutor pack for the demanding AOTAI trek (a high-altitude, off-trail route known for its high mortality rate), and rigorously tested items like rain kilts and tents in harsh, stormy conditions. These products later gained widespread acclaim for their performance and reliability.
Liang has little interest in traditional outdoor gear, preferring instead to use minimalist, self-designed equipment. Deeply inspired by ultralight philosophy, he named his pack “Tutor” as a tribute to Jardine, whom he regards as a master and mentor in the world of ultralight backpacking.
Yu Liu (Little Yu) - Director of Branding and Design
Yu is an ecologist and former scientific researcher who developed a wide range of outdoor skills through years spent in the wilderness. He later co-founded a respected outdoor and mountaineering company with a friend, where he worked as a guide, outdoor educator, senior instructor of CMA, and AHA instructor.
With over 10,000 kilometers of hiking under his belt—on both established trails and rugged off-trail routes—Yu spends 2–3 months each year living outdoors. His deep expertise in backcountry skills is matched by a passion for MYOG (Make Your Own Gear) and a commitment to sharing knowledge with others. He loves teaching through presentations and hands-on courses, offering practical insights on everything from ultralight backpacking techniques, compass navigating, and outdoor nutrition and WMAI First aid knowledge.
Since joining 3FULGEAR, Yu has played a key role in connecting product design with real-world field use, helping ensure that every piece of gear performs where it matters most.
A disappearing generation
3FULGEAR tents and backpacks are manufactured in-house by our skilled team of craftsmen, many of whom have 15-20 years of experience in sewing. However, many of these artisans are nearing retirement, and finding their replacements is becoming increasingly challenging. Few young people today know how to operate sewing machines, as over 90% of sewing factories have gone out of business in the past two decades, leaving little opportunity for this craft to thrive.
At 3FULGEAR, we are committed to supporting our staff by providing free meals, pensions, and health insurance. Our mission goes beyond serving hikers—it’s about creating a positive impact on the lives of our team as well. We firmly believe that people who work in a supportive and healthy environment are able to create products of true value.